Sunday, the final hurdle of wager, the Forgers brought Damian to the playground Anya and Loid visited together the first time.

"You guys come here?" Damian asked as he, Eric and Anya wore their play clothes.

"On occasion. It's a bit further from our home, but it's worth it." Eric shrugged as Anya went ahead and began to run all over the playground equipment. "Plus, we thought this is better than loafing around at home."

"Hm, good point." Damian said, somewhat glad to not be inside doing nothing but study even though it is what he usually does on the weekends.

"I'll race you on the monkey bars." Eric said with a slightly mischievous glint in his eyes before he bolted towards the playground.

Damian growled as he chased after him, "Hey, you cheater, get back here!"

Loid and Yor sat on the bench and observed the children running around.

"They are certainly enjoying themselves more than usual." Yor noted as she watched Eric and Damian race each other on the bars with Anya serving as the referee.

"Yes. I was a little worried about whether Damian would like this place. Though it would appear I had nothing to fear." Loid agreed as he observed Damian smile during their little race. The second son of the Desmond family looks more relaxed compared to how he is at Eden. Loid noticed how Eric seems a little looser in his interaction with Damian outside of school. Sure, they still compete, but it's more friendly with a touch of comradery in their endeavors. And Anya...well she's still Anya with that bountiful energy.

"Brother, let's go roundy-round!" Anya beckoned Eric and Damian over to the merry-go-round play equipment.

Damian hesitated as Anya hopped onto the platform and held onto the rails, "Ugh, doesn't look very clean."

"What, are you afraid of dirt?" Eric asked as he prepared himself to push the equipment around.

Damian went red in the face and glared, "Am not! Let me on!" He marched forward with the determination to prove his rival wrong.

'So easy to manipulate.' Eric thought to himself before he and Damian pushed the merry-go-round with all their might, running before they hopped on the spinning ride. Anya giggled as she was spun around.

Damian had an unimpressed look as he held onto the rails, "Is this the fastest it can go?"

"There's only so much strength kids can put into making this thing spin." Eric stated as he watched Damian's face.

While they continued to spin, Anya had an idea as she glanced at the bench, "Papa and Mama, come spin with us!"

Eric frowned when their parents stood up, "I don't think that's good idea."

Damian gave him a questioning look, "Why?"

Loid and Yor came over where their mother insisted she pushes the merry-go-round while Loid sits behind Anya.

Eric planted his feet firmly on the metal platform while holding onto the center rails tightly.

"Uh, Forger?" Damian asked as he observed his rival and Anya.

"You better hold on." Eric advised before Damian gripped the rails.

Yor held onto the outer rails with an excited smile, "Okay, ready on three. 1...2...3!" With the final word, she pushed her weight into her left foot and heaved forward then spun the merry-go-round at top speed by accident. The occupants became a blur at the speed they went as they held on tightly.

Damian gritted his teeth as he felt himself being pulled backward by the force of the spin. Turning to the others he saw how their expressions vary from the speed. Eric pursed his lips very tightly while squinting his eyes as though in concentration, Anya was screaming with her eyes wide and face peeled back from her mouth as spit flew everywhere, and Loid looked like he was in a nosedive on a jet.

Yor yelped then stopped the merry-go-round abruptly with both hands. "Sorry, I did not hold back enough!" She apologized in panic as Anya fell back against her father with swirls in her eyes. Eric and Damian, however, stumbled off the equipment, completely disoriented as they moved around.

"Boys?" Yor worriedly asked as Eric looked green and held a hand tightly to his mouth. Amid his swaying, he managed to snatch an equally woozy Damian by his shoulder and drag him to the nearby bushes.

"Bleaaaaaarrrrgghh!" Eric and Damian knelt side-by-side with their hands patting each other's backs as sparkles and rainbows spewed out of their mouths for censorship purposes.

After several minutes of glittery vomit, the boys were at the water fountain with Loid beside them.

Eric gargled the water then spat the contents onto the grass. With a sniff, he turns to Damian who is on his third gargle-rinse.

"To be clear, this was not part of the plan." Eric told his rival who spat the water out of his mouth.

"I believe you." Damian croaked, looking pale from having upset stomach.

Loid turns to his son while rubbing Damian's back, "You okay?"

Eric takes deep breaths then staggers away, "Yeah, I'm just gonna...walk it off." He then proceeded to journey back to the playground as he saw Anya being pushed on the swing by Yor.

Loid watched his son leave before he guided Damian back to the bench to help ease his stomach.

Damian leaned back and let the soft breeze soothe his skin.

"How are you feeling? Still nauseous?" Loid asked as he sat beside the boy.

"Just give me a few, and I'll be alright." Damian sighed, "I never knew your wife was that strong, and she knows self-defense?"

"Yeah, believe it or not, she has more control when it comes to fighting back." Loid stated as he remembered the night he proposed to Yor and how she effortlessly took down the bad guys that were chasing them.

Damian now has a new-found respect for the family, the mother especially. 'I need to remember not to get on her bad side.' He swore to himself as he realized just how powerful and protective his rival's mom is. 'I feel bad for anyone who tries to hurt the Forger kids.'

Loid watched Damian from the corner of his eye as he leaned back to gaze at the clouds rolling by. "You know, this park wasn't always here. It was built a few years after the war."

Damian glanced at Loid with a questioning look, "Really?"

"That's right. The city officials wanted to make something nice for the local kids here, to show them that it is now safe to go outside and have fun. But it wasn't easy, others wanted to use that money for more economical endeavors." Loid had a melancholy smile grace his lips, "After much argument, volunteers from all around worked together to build this for every child in the city. They all came from low to middle class to give back what had been lost in the war."

Damian saw a hint of sadness in the man's gaze when he mentioned the war. He remembered Eric telling the class during that job interview report how Loid Forger became a psychiatrist after the fighting ended to help others with their trauma.

Damian frowned as he stared at the playground structure, how those not of the elite created this and never expected anything in return. Seeing Anya and a few kids visiting with their families run around and play on the equipment made him realize how this was made through an act of selfless love for their children.

"Did you...have something like this as a kid?" Damian asked, wanting to quell the awkward silence between him and his rival's dad.

Loid hummed, "Yeah, but I mostly hung out with my friends in an old warehouse. We'd always play battlefront games." He released a quiet sigh, "Back then, I did not realize the horrors of war. My father did not want me to ever play those games, said it was ignorant and foolish to emulate such a thing. He was always saying how I need to study and get good grades, over and over again. I never liked that; we never saw eye to eye." He said as he remembered his rough childhood and his tumultuous relationship with his father.

Damian's eyes widened to a slight degree at how the older man spoke of his childhood with a fond and sad look. He frowned as he looked down at his feet, "Was it hard...meeting his expectations?"

Loid sighed, "To be honest, I just couldn't understand him. I liked to think that I was smart enough to win the games with my friends. But that was just me being arrogant. My father, for all his faults, was a great man. He only wanted me to live without needing to fight. But..." He paused as he stared off into the distance, "...life had other plans for me."

Damian swallowed as he realized what his questions caused, "I'm sorry."

Loid ruffled the boy's hair, making him look up at the man. "Don't be. I'm not one to let the past dictate my actions. Rather, I learn from it, and use it to guide others." He glanced at his family, "You know, I've never shared that part of my life with my wife and kids."

This caught Damian by surprise, "Not even Eric?" He asked since Eric seems very close to his father.

"I'll tell him one day. For now, he should let himself be a kid." Loid turned to Damian and removed his hand from the boy's hair, "As should you."

Damian turned to the side with a blush, "What do you mean?"

Loid watches the boy for a moment, "I understand your father is a prominent figure in the political world. That raises a lot of expectations for one so young. Even if you can't get away from what is expected of you, there is no shame in talking to someone about it. Help take the weight off your shoulders when it becomes too much."

"Are you speaking from experience?" Damian turned back to him.

"A little." Loid fished his business card from his inner pocket of his coat and handed it to Damian, "If you ever need someone to talk to, I'll listen, and I'll do my best to help you."

Damian took the card and stared at the name and number written down. Though it was unexpected, it gave him that happy tingling feeling at the knowledge that an adult wants to help him.

"Thank you, Dr. Forger. This is really nice, I appreciate it, really." Damian said as he pocketed the number.

Loid smiled, "I'm glad. It also makes me happy to see you and Eric get along with each other."

Damian blushed, "We do not get along!" He denied vehemently at the very notion of him and Eric of all people actually getting along like friends.

Loid shrugged, "Okay, okay. Still, I hope this weekend wasn't so bad."

Damian composed himself and scratched the back of his head, "It wasn't what I expected, but I can't say I hate it."

"That's good. I understand if it was scary at first, but you soldiered on. Well done." Loid commented as Damian blushed at the praise.

When the Forgers returned home, it was already approaching evening. They went through the routine of washing up, studying, watching TV and eating dinner together. It all passed by in a calm familial atmosphere.

That night as Damian laid beside a sleeping Eric and Honey Ninja. He didn't sleep, because he knew that the moment he does, he will return to school in the morning and will go back to sleeping in the dorms. He stared at the ceiling as he reflected on the entire weekend he spent at the Forgers. It wasn't dirty or horrific as he initially feared. If anything, it was so clean that he was sure no one lived here. More than that, they were all very welcoming towards him, even Eric.

Damian glanced at his sleeping rival, a boy who made it his mission to beat him in their contest to become Imperial Scholars. Despite their established rivalry, Eric was honorable enough to guide him through the eccentricity that is the Forger family life and helped introduce him to the art of fencing. Here, there were no expectations to be perfect or to become the best among the elite.

A wave of envy fell over Damian. Eric has so little in the eyes of Eden, yet he hardly lets any of that bother him, even looks happy with where he stood on the social strata. More than that, he has parents who care and love him dearly, especially Loid Forger.

Damian frowned as his heart clenched suddenly, the voice in the back of his mind told him to stay with the Forgers just a little longer, if only to pretend that they were his family. He stopped that thought dead in its tracks as sweat came out of his body.

'Hold on, if the Forgers ever become my family, then Eric would...' His eyes widened immensely, 'Oh crap, he'd be my brother!' Damian mentally shook his head, 'No way, no way! He is not my brother!' Damian faced the wall and screwed his eyes shut to block out intrusive thoughts on having his rival as a sibling.

The morning followed with breakfast at the table. This was just a regular routine for the Forgers. But for Damian, this will be the last time, and he wanted to savor it for as long as he can.

"Hey Damian, do you have all of your stuff packed? Clothes and books?" Loid asked as he sipped his coffee at the table.

Damian looked up at the Forger patriarch, "Um, yes sir. I'm sure you got everything."

"Well, even if you didn't, I don't mind stopping by the dorms and returning anything you left here back to you." Loid assured him as Damian nodded in understanding.

Anya was shoveling food into her mouth at alarming speed.

"Not too fast Anya, you'll get heartburn." Yor warned her gently.

Anya drank her milk as smiled, "I can't help it Mama, today big brother will be wearing a dress."

Damian froze as he remembered the wager. He glanced at Eric who hardly looked phased as he calmly ate his breakfast.

"Which won't happen until lunchtime Anya. So don't rush eating for nothing." Eric said then glanced at Damian, "By the way, the blue dress I asked about, the theatrical director was kind enough to put that on hold for me in case I lost the bet."

Damian stared at him with mouth hanging open. "You're actually looking forward to wearing a dress?" He incredulously asked his rival who was unbothered at the idea of crossdressing.

"I like to think of it as an experiment. Besides, if I was ever gonna lose, I'd lose with grace and style." Eric said with an impressive stoic stare.

"I can't believe you said that with a straight face." Damian deadpanned at his rival.

At the bus stop, the Forgers patiently waited for the Eden transport to arrive.

Damian faced Loid and Yor, "Dr. and Mrs. Forger, thank you both for having me. I had a pleasant time this weekend."

The couple smiled at the boy before Yor laid a gentle hand on Damian's hair, "I'm glad for that. If you ever want to come visit or spend another weekend with us, don't hesitate to ask, okay?" She said with a kind and warm voice.

Damian blushed at the way Yor ran her fingers through his hair, it felt nice and motherly. He wanted it to last a little longer.

As the bus rolled up, Damian nodded, "Thank you, I will keep that in mind."

"Let's go Desi, we need to assure your buddies that you're alive." Eric said as the bus door opened before the two Eden students boarded the bus and took their seats beside each other.

As the bus rolled away, Damian glanced at Eric, "Your family is better than I expected."

A small yet proud smile came onto Eric's face, "I'm glad you think that, because I agree with you there."

Damian stopped by the dorms first to drop off his stuff where his lackeys tearfully welcomed him home as though he just survived the war. It took several minutes to assure Ewen and Emile that he was alright as he was bombarded with questions; was their house haunted, did they feed him rats and roaches, did they deprive him of bathing in clean water? All of which earned them well deserved bonks on the heads.

By the time class rolled around, everyone was whispering about the wager and how Forger will wear the dress. Some girls stared at Eric with pity while others snickered. All of which were ignored.

Anya arrived before lunchtime, and everyone waited in the lunchroom with anticipation.

Becky turned to the students with a warning glare, "If anyone of you so much as laughs at Eric Forger, my shoes go down your throats."

While some didn't take her threat seriously, most of the kids in their grade vowed not to laugh.

Damian kept his face composed as the doors opened. Everyone gasped in surprise as out of nowhere, a breeze blew from behind Eric, whipping now long hair and frilly skirt around him. Becky, Anya and Damian's expression were in deep awe at who stood before the entire first grade.

Eric wore an elegant pastel blue dress with white trimmings. The skirt flowed elegantly around his ankles and the sleeves puffed gently at the shoulders. Matching low-heeled shoes adorned his feet, white gloves cover his hands which held a decorative fan over his chest. His blonde hair now extended to the middle of his back was tied in front of him in a modest yet elegant flowing ponytail which curled at the end.

All the students, waiters, and staff members were struck with awe at the beautiful and elegant little girl in their midst.

"No way, is that really Forger?" Ewen asked as Eric calmly walked among the crowd, almost floating as he soaked up the attention.

Damian looked around and saw how the boys were blushing at the sight of the beauty. The girls were all huddled, whispering and blushing as they beheld the gentle medic in training as though he was an angel.

Becky stared with mouth wide open, "Wow, he looks better in that dress than anyone."

Anya had sparkles in her eyes as her brother came to their table. "Brother, you look so pretty!"

Eric turned to Anya and spoke in a voice that didn't sound boyish at all, "Who is this brother you speak of? I am Erica Forinna. Though for you sweet girl, you are free to call me 'sister.'" He said in a playful tone as he winked at Anya who giggled.

This, unfortunately, drew a crowd as children shouted, "Can I call you my sister too?" or "Please stay like this forever and marry me!"

Becky gave Erica an impressed look, "Guess we know what happens when you purposely charm people."

Erica gave her a genuinely confused and innocent look, "Whatever do you mean Ms. Blackbell?" She wondered as she shyly hid her face behind her fan.

Becky sweatdropped, "This is what I'm talking about."

Anya snuggled into Erica's side, looking happy to have a secret sister.

Damian, Ewen and Emile stared at the scene in bewilderment.

"Unbelievable." Damian exclaimed as hearts fell out of the first graders who were enchanted by the persona Eric put forward.

Erica turned her attention to Damian and walked over to their table. The boys froze up when she neared them. She stopped in front of Damian and gave him a kind and gentle smile, "How are you today Desmond?"

The boys at the table blushed as she exuded a calm aura around her. Damian completely forgot that this was Eric Forger playing dress up as he became spellbound by the noble lady's green eyes. His blush deepened as Erica drew closer to him and place her glove on his forehead.

"Are you well? Your face is red as though you have a fever." Erica asked in concern for her classmate.

Damian came back to himself as he remembered who this kid is before he shot to his feet, dislodging her hand from his heated skin. "I am not sick. Now take that dress off!" Damian demanded as he pointed a finger at her in anger.

Erica blushed and hid the bottom half of her face, "Oh my, how bold of you to make such a request of me. So uncouth, and to make me do so in such a place like this surrounded by youths." She said in an embarrassed tone that made all the kids look at the boy with shock on their faces.

Damian's blush deepened, "Nonononono, that's not what I meant. I-I-I just-" Damian growled the yelled at his rival, "Stop with the act and turn back into Forger!"

Then Damian and his henchmen ran out of the room as though a monster was chasing him.

"Lord Damian, why are we running?" Emile panted as they trailed behind their leader.

"Shut up!" Damian responded with more aggression as steam flowed out of his head. 'And to think I was calling him my brother last night!'

Back in the cafeteria, everyone watched the last spot Damian was seen.

Erica blinked several times, "Poor boy should see the school nurse if he's being agitated."

One of the waiters watched the whole scene play out with a deadpanned expression. Loid infiltrated the school believing his son would need help, though it turns out, Eric was able to handle it on his own by stepping into the role befitting the dress. As the master of disguise and acting, Loid felt a sting of pride at how well Eric was able to pull off that role. He took it like a man while dressed as a girl.

Three days later

Loid felt his eye twitch when he returned home to the scene in the living room. "What is going on?"

Eric no longer wore the blue dress at school. But right now, he is dressed up in a lovely canary yellow dress with white frills kneeling on the floor reading a book while Anya and Yor braid his hair.

"Hi Dad, Anya wanted to play with big sister, and I wanted to study. Thought it'd be a good idea to kill two birds with one stone." Eric shrugged, unmindful of having to wear the dress. If he's being honest with himself, wearing a skirt is very comfortable and the breeze feels nice whenever he walks.

"I love my big sister Erica." Anya beamed in delight as she worked on her beautiful sister's hair.

"White or yellow?" Yor held up the hair ribbons.

"White please." Eric responded without looking up from his book.

Loid had that deadpanned expression again. 'Okay, now I am convinced and concerned he is my son.'

This was a total giggle-fest for me.

I had this merry-go-round scene in my head for a long time, and I'm glad it came to fruition. I had to take a moment to calm my laughter with Eric and Damian puking together while comforting each other. Total friendship/rival goals. Of course, I had to add glittery rainbow puke for comedic sake since it's an anime.

The crossdressing bit has always been my favorite because it shows another side of Eric and how he is willing to accept defeat in the most Eric way imaginable.

I originally never intended for that last part at the end, but I could not resist. It was too perfect. I don't know when we'll have Erica again but keep an eye out.

This concludes the final part of Weekend at Forgers.

Question, how many of you had to pause when you were about to laugh?